Job Discussion Forums

[stillnosheep]

[Birdog3344]

Why do so many assume that when the Japanese encourage outgoing behavior on the part of foreigners, specifically Westerners, that its because they think we're acting the 'clown' or 'monkey'? It seems to me that our demonstrative extroverted nature, qualities they tend to lack, is something they admire. I don't think they use the term "genki" in the pejorative.

I was at a party with students and school staff the other night and the Japanese office guy, who makes funny faces and is very enthusiastic, was getting the most laughs. It seemed clear they were laughing with, not at him.

I understand wanting to be taking seriously for your talents as a teacher but lets face it, part of our skill set is the ability to be gesticular and outgoing, two traits that just so happen to be quite helpful both in the classroom (especially with kids) and in communication in general. Moreover, part of the gig is the cultural exchange, why obsfucate your personality (not neccesarily yours in particular, JimD) and deny your students that aspect of their educational experience just because you don't want to look silly or stand out from the crowd (something for which many are very critical of the Japanese)? You may not be the prototype "loud American" but chances are you're more comfortable with your voice and body than your students and other Japanese English teachers.

[Sweetsee]

(content deleted, sorry)

[canuck]

[Brooks]

what I got annoyed with is that because I am a foreigner, I was told to act a certain way and change my personality (in one of my previous jobs).
I worked with a few guys who acted the way the Japanese admin. wanted.
These guys would always bite their tongues and would kiss Japanese ass if told to do so. No thanks.


I have taught in Morocco, Russia, and Poland, and nobody ever said I have to smile more and say hello to everybody. They wanted me to be a good teacher.

In America, Japanese people aren`t told how to behave.

It is like it is ok for Japanese people to be cold and/or shy but since I am the gaijin, I have to be this super nice and friendly person. In my previous job, I did it since I was told too, but it was no fun. It was like I was acting six days a week, like I was putting a mask on and going to a circus. I am not a clown, and I didn`t come to Tokyo in order to join a circus.

[Birdog3344]

I don't understand why being a "super nice and friendly person" equates to being a clown. And just because you weren't asked to be friendly in other countries doesn't make a bad thing to do it here. Teaching in Japan is a different animal. As i wrote in my earlier post, part of the job is to make class entertaining and to project Western culture to your students. It is a shame that some Japanese staff and teachers are at times too shy to strike up a conversation, but that just underscores our responsibility to be just the opposite. Set the example to staff and teach your students that its okay to be outgoing and confident and perhaps that will help solve the problem that many here have voiced. Its ironic that many of the complaints about the job are directly related to the issues the job itself is aimed at confronting. If you feel like a clown, that's on you. Perhaps you should look for another job or another place to work.

[Brooks]

well, if you had read my post more carefully you would have seen that I was referring to a previous job. I guess you would have had to have worked where I worked to understand. Or in Korea.

yeah, duh, as a teacher I have to do my part but conversation is a 2 way street. As a teacher I can only do so much.

[Birdog3344]

You're right. I don't know how I missed that part of your post. Sorry. And although I directly responded to some of the things you wrote, at the same time I was trying to address typical experiences and complaints from teachers. Your previous job may well have been an extreme case, but I believe the points I expressed are still valid as a rule.

[JimDunlop2]

Sweetsee, I wish I actually could lay things out in perfect Japanese... Mistake-ridden Japanese is much more like it but I do manage to get my point across.

Expo was good, I'll post up the details on my other thread so I don't hijack this one more than necessary.

JD

[stillnosheep]

[canuck]

Yeah, what if.

[Sweetsee]

Hi Canuck,

Can you admit you may have jumped the gun in your judgement? Afterall, as SNS so eloquently described, there are often circumstances which we may or may not be aware.


Cheers,
s

[stillnosheep]

[canuck]

[Sweetsee]

Hi Canuck,

You are right about that. What I am interested to discuss is why?
Give it to me like I'm an 8-year-old.


Cheers,
s